Wolf-Rayet 104 poses reduced gamma-ray threat to Earth

Astronomers have new insights about a star system known as Wolf-Rayet 104, which resembles a cosmic pinwheel. Initially, this system was feared to pose a serious threat to Earth due to the possibility of lethal gamma rays from powerful explosions when the stars die. However, recent research suggests that this fear may be overstated. Wolf-Rayet 104 is located about 8,000 light-years away in the Sagittarius constellation. It features two massive stars that orbit each other closely. For years, scientists observed gas plumes from both stars colliding in the space between them, forming a spiral structure. Previously, it was thought that Earth was in line with this system, leading to concerns about potential gamma-ray bursts. Recent findings from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii show that the orbits of these stars are actually tilted away from Earth by 30 to 40 degrees. This means the likelihood of Earth being hit by harmful gamma rays is much lower than previously believed. Study author Grant Hill found this surprising while researching what he thought would be a straightforward topic. The observation has opened up new questions for astronomers. There seems to be a mismatch between how the dust spiral appears and the tilted orbital patterns of the stars. This could indicate that there are complex forces at work that have yet to be understood. Hill expressed excitement about the discoveries, highlighting that astronomy often leads to unexpected mysteries. He noted that Wolf-Rayet 104 continues to surprise researchers, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. The team's findings were published last November in a scientific journal.